The Rhondda Leader

PR c A DISPLAY OF SEASONABLE NOVEL. fiiB&s /SS&x TIES AT H. SAMUEL'S ECLIPSING ALL flFm. ^Lar«M OS IJ^TmPRECEDENT FOR BEAUTY AND INSIG- ■^Keyless \» JlSIFICANT COST. GREAT BARGAINS Watches. IN GOLD AND SILVER WATCHES, Vg Hi RINGS, GEMS, JEWELLERY, ELECTRO- »fm. \? W PLATE, SILVER, &C.—ALL FRESH FROM W$k 1 fm vaa THE FACTORY, AND OFFERED AT Mi\T < TOfc 1 Wffl&y PRODUCER'S LOWEST PRICES. SEE Hi M THEM IN THE WINDOW TO -DAY! 17RFIE GIFT 01, LID BILVEli Bank Co^>c^pri{jgi Q /■ Season's Greetings SILVER WATCH. writing' on February | Brooch, in Solid Silver. Npl^S?slf 3rd, 1905, says:- j ^Pg| 1 llillll <w Mn 1/3 0 Watches daily Jor c0fid Igf found it an excellent aa I ic-ct. Hall-marked /dyr 7111 A, 2LlYcr 111 time-keeper. Icon- «f |J IRing, choicely set Sir fi\ Ifil /|\ ?* 119. sider it a capital W| with Real Dia- Hk&t&S&P T r^i\ o J,' W$ watch for a working monds and Rubies. (In Gold, 8/o). lg| man" EVERY COURTESY WILL BE EXTENDED TO VISITORS, AND m$8 NO CASE WILL THE INSPECTION OF AN ARTICLE liVsPLY TK £ |j .— SLIGHTEST OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE. mm BBNEW YEAR A PROFUSION OP USEFUL AND B-EAUTIFUL GIFTS TO BE 111 Htm PRESENTED FREE TO PURCHASERS OF GOODS YALUE 5/- UP- Ha Mm FREE WARDS—THIS IN ADDITION TO H. SAMUEL'S ALL-THK-YEAR- M |W L '7_— ROUND CONCESSIONS OF A MONTH'S FREE TRIAL OF ANY SB MW PRIZES » ARTICLE AND THE REMISSION OF PURCHASERS' TRAIN FARES EH MB 1 1" OFF ACCOUNTS TOTALLING 28/- OR OYER. CALL TO-DAY. g| §H. SAMUEL, 7, St. IV[ary St., Cardiff. |

Ton. A very successful Christmas tree and sale of work was held in the new school- room in connection with St. David's Church on Boxing Day. The sale of work was declared open by Mrs. LI. Phillips, Ton, and a, brisk sale ensued. The toys from the tree were doled out by Messrs. H. Collins, D. J. Smith and H. Powell. The following stalls were presided over as folloiv :-I'ai-icy Stall: Mrs. Phillips, Mr. E. J. Lloyd and Miss E. A. Lloyd. Needlework Stall: Mrs. Collier, Mrs. Godsall and Miss Collier. Fruit Stall: Mrs. Pea roe. Mrs. Wilkinson and Mrs. Allessey. The following side shows, which were well patronised, were presided over as follow:—Museum: Messrs. T. Royal and W. Holmes. Fine Art Gallery: Messrs. Chapman and J. Jones. Turn- abouts: Messrs. T. Evans, R. Davies, D. Morris and T. Jay. Mr. John Pearce acted as general superintendent of the side, shows. Bran Tubs: Messrs. Uri Jones and John Davies. The refreshment tables were presided over by the follow- ing:—Mrs. Davies, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Joe Jones and Mrs. Smith. The secretarial duties were very efficiently carried out by Mr. Rd. Phillips. The stall building. by Mr. P. Bailey was perfect, and the arrangements in all particulars faultless. The proceeds are stated to have reached the very substantial sum of E50. Last Monday evening a. very successful social was held at the Workmen's Hall by the students of the Dressmaking Classes >of Ton, Gelli and Treorchy, which are held under the control of the County- Council. The programme was a varied one. Misses Tilly Thomas, Ton. and Cissy Thomas, Treorchy, rendered solos at intervals, while Messrs. Wallace Buiid3, and Rhys Richards, the former a power- ful alto and the latter an excellent re- citer, entertained the audience. Tableaux were another feature of the evening, which included the followil,- representa- tions: A Welsh Cup of Tea," "Night and Morning," The Song of a Shirt," "Justice," and The Women of Britain." After a fine spread was partaken of, games were indulged in, Jncl everyone present seemed to enjoy themselves. Mr. T. J. Price ably presided at the piano, while praise is due to Mrs. Toon Williams for carrying out, the duties of secretary. There were upwards of 80 present, among whom were Mr. W. D. Wight, Rhondda Rise (chairman of the local Education Committee), and Mrs. Wight; also Mrs. E. T. Davies, a member of the committee. Last Tuesday the Christian Endeavour Society at Bethesda, Ton, held a success- ful tea, and meeting. In the evening the Rev. J. Owen (Dyfnallt), Pontypridd, gave a, most interesting and edifying address on Robert Louis Stevenson," that most devotional writer. Mr. Owen spoke on the epitaph written on a foun- tain in his n emory at San Francisco, and dealt with the profound ideas contained therein. We trust his remarks may live in the minds of the audience. We congiatulate Mr. Isaac Davies, Maindy Road, on his recent appointment to the position of superintendent of the district, for the Weslevan and General Assurance Company. Mr. Davies is well- known and respected in the locality, being one of the newly elected deacons of Bethesda, and a staunch temperance advocate. We congratulate also Mr. Tom Davies (Cenech) on his recent successes; he won the chair an elegy at Bodringallt, and three other prizes at Ynyshir, one being a stanza on "Y Diwygiad." There were 40 competitors. An open lodge was held on Wednesday evening last under the auspices of "Tenil Clanrhondda/' I.O.G.T., at Jerusalem, Ton. The chair was taken by Mr. I. T. Rees, Ton. The following took part:-

Pentre. The Rev. D. G. Morris delivered his farewell sermons at Zion English Bap- tist Lhapel on Sunday last. There were good congregations despite the intensely cold weather, and keen regret was felt at the thought that the rev. gentleman would be leaving the church so soon. Mr. Morris takes up his new duties at Nantyglo this week, and we heartily wish him every success in his new sphere. A movement is afoot to make the rev. gentleman a fitting presentation as a mark of the esteem in which he is held in the locality. This, we are informed, will take place in about two months' time. Mr. Evan Davies; of the" Rhondda Leader," has been appointed special correspondent for South Wales" for the Wawr," the new Welsh London news- paper. He will thus have ample scope of wielding those journalistic talents with which he has evidently been endowed. -+- +-+- We regret to record the death of C'has. Gore, 9, Robert Street, Pentre, who met his death in such a, tragic manngr on Tuesday morning last. The deceased was a native of Bath, and had only recently started to work in this locality. He had been home to Bath to spend the Christ- mas holidays, and recommenced working at the Ton Colliery on Monday evening, with the result already known. A tele- gram was at once sent to the deceased's wife, whom he had so recently left, apprising her of her husband's sad fate. With the widow there are also two chil- dren to mourn his death. Changes are the order of the universe. Opinions change, and men also change- indeed, localities do not suffer the in- evitable law. We already note in this column that the Rev. D. G. Morris is taking his abode elsewhere, and so is the -Is Rev. Mr. Davies, the respected pastor of the. Glanrhondda Unitarian Church. Mr. Davies has under his care the two churches at Blaenclydach and Tylors- town, and this week he removes from Pentre, where he has resided since his advent to the Rhondda, to Sherwood, Llwynypia, Mr. Davies is a fluent speaker, an excellent scholar, and a preacher of no mean merit. What is per- haps more, he has, in this world of chicanery and shiftiness, the courage of his opinions, and demonstrates them forcibly in his daily life. We wish him every success on the rugged and steep path of life. The Pentre "Lit. and Deb." spent a very pleasant evening on Monday night. It was a kind of free-and-easy" meet- ing. It, was a, small company, but a very enjoyable one withal which had fore- gathered to partake of the many delights which is inseparably associated with a "coffee supper." After the repast, the company set down to music, games and other artifices calculated to speed the flying wings of time. Needless to say, this was done to perfection, and the hour for dispersing only arrived too soon. The meeting, small as it, was, was brimful of surprises, many unlooked-for events transpiring in a very short time. There was a recitation by an embryo elocu- tionist, and a song by the president! But the most delightful were the impromptu verses" which were rolled off by the yard. Of story-telling there was no dearth, and the financial secretary, appa- rently influenced by the stimulating effects iof the coffee, performed a series of somersaults, to the delight and amuse- ment of all concerned. Not the least interesting tit-bit was the dumb band," led by Mr. W. Thomas, which, despite the absence- of any volume of sound, was yet very effective. The proceedings ter- minated by the singing of the Welsh and English National Anthems. Mr. F. Thackeray, who was voted to the chair, performed his arduous duties to the satisfaction of all concerned. J. MOUNTNEY (late J. Cordinsr), 42, Royal Arcade, CARDIFF, Bird and Animal Preserver, To the Most Hon. The Marquis of Bute and the Cardiff Museum. Skins and Furs Dressed Rugs lined and made up Glass shades for Clocks and Ornaments of all sizes.

Penygraig. On Thursday evening, Mr. Henry Wil- liams (Plenvcld) delivered a grand lecture at Zoat Baptist Chapel on that eccentric character, "Billy Bray." The Rev. D. C. Jones was the chairman. There was a good number present. The proceeds are in aid of the Penygraig and District Tem- perance Union.

Clydach Vale. At the Royal Sanitary Institute's ex- amination held at the Medical Examina- tion Hall. Victoria Embankment, London, on the 15th and 16th ult., Mr. D. T. Williams, sanitary inspector to "the Gla- morgan County Council, was successful in obtaining the certificate qualifying as an Inspector of meat and other foods.

Treherbert. We are very pleased to be able toi draw attention to the success of two of Mr. Hugh Hughes' pupils, viz., Miss May Moses and Mr. William Davies, at the open competitive eisteddfod held at Bethlehem, Trealaw, on Monday evening last. Miss Moses had chosen as her test piece "The Jewel Song" from "Faust," a song too well-known amongst lovers of operatic music to need description, and was the recipient of deserving commen- dation from the adjudicators, Messrs. E. T. Davies, F.R.C.O., Merthyr, and J. Evans, Miskin, Trealaw, for her bril- liantly artistic and dramatic representa- tion of the work. Miss Alice Cove came a good second, alsoi giving a brilliant ren- dering of the same work. Mr. Davies had chosen "Hiawatha's Vision," which he rendered excellently, defeating such well- known local veterans as Mr. Tom Bonnell and Mr. Aneurin Edwards. Another pupil of Mr. Hughes', Miss S. Lewis, Tre- orchv. acquitted herself splendidly, and displayed decided promise. We con- gratulate Mr. Hughes and his pupils. Edison's Phonographs and Records. All the latest in stock at R. T. Jones's, Iron- monger, Sheffield House, Treherbert. 159

Tonypandy. A very enjoyable evening was spent at Bethel English Baptist Chapel, Tony- pandy, on Monday evening (New Year's night). The entertainment committee of this go-ahead church had placed a, splen- did repast before the visitors. The table- holders were Mrs. Gilbert Thomas, Miss Lena Thomas, Miss Grace Banks, Miss Rhoda Holmes, Miss Maud Thomas, Miss Maud Hughes, Mrs, Mojrris and. Miss Rhoda Morris. During the tea, the visitors were entertained by Mr. Willie Ludlow, who is a capable and clever pianist, After the tea, the following artistes contributed very materially to the evening's enjoyment:—Mr. Fred Phillips delighted his audience with a very humorous song; Mr. Francis Popham delivered with rare dramatic power a recitation, entitled The Flood," after which two little maidens, Misses Beatrice and Maggie Jones, sang very sweetly a duet, "There's a work for each of us." A diversion was caused by several very enjoyable and amusing games. among them being Musical Chairs," The Musical Pin," Queen of Sheba," and several forfeit games. Everybody entered into the spirit of the different games with considerable zest and pleasure. The audience were at this stage very mystified by the clever thought reading exhibition of Mr. ,R. R. Davies and Mr. J. Pandy Jones. The remainder of a splendid pro- gramme was now gone through, Mr.* John P. Jones contributing a very ably delivered elocutionary study, entitled "The Angel's Message." Mr. Willie Ludlow next treated the audience to a selection from Mendelssohn, which was brilliantly executed. An impromptu speech competition led to Mr. Phil. Bevan winning the first prize, a hand- some brass button, which he with com- mendable generosity presented to the church, "to be used for the good of the cause." Miss Mary Davies now delivered a recitation, entitled How Jane Con- quest Rang, the Bell," in a marner which showed keen literary insight, combined with histrionic ability. After the usual votes of thanks had been proposed in a neat speech by Mr. John Pandy Jones, and seconded by Mr. Robert Raikes Davies in an equally neat speech, the meeting tern mated.

C win pare. Yuletide is once again over, and every- where things are settling down to their normal condition after a strenuous obser- vation of the rites and ceremonies pecu- liar to our festive season. As far as our knowledge goes, Cwnparc folk spent a downright merry Christmas, and although the historic day did not visit us in its traditional guise of snow and frost, the exceptionally mild temperature that pre- vailed tempted almost everyone out of doors, and thus helped to a fine appre- ciation and the .successful digestion of the sundry "good things" that make dys- peptics shudder. It is gratifying to note that, thanks to the efforts of a, few philanthropists, with Dr. Barrett as their generalissimo, the poorest hearth was gladdened with Christmas cheer, and that the manifestation of the spirit of the Christmas that Dickens immortalised, in all deserving cases made poverty fly through the window. May the shadow of such noble workers never grow less. On Christmas Day, the Salvation Army held its annual Christmas tree and tea for the children, in the Park Hall. Several hundreds of children gathered, and regaled their eyes, and their little Marys" with a sight and taste of the innumerable, toys and delicacies which had been provided. The function was a highly successful one, which is synonymous with saying that. Mr. Edward Meredith and Miss Vaughan were the principal workers, in the affair. Last Thursday and Friday evenings, the Salem Baptist Chapel Band of Hope held a very successful fruit banquet," in the chapel vestry. On Thursday evening, adults attended, while Friday evening was devoted to satisfying the miniature hordes of juvenile temperance zealots. Mr. Tom Maclean deserves much credit for the completeness of his arrangements. A concert was, held on Thursday evening, at which several notable local singers performed. It, would have been a little more politic, however," to have offered some of the promising youngsters who are members of the Band of Hope, a chance to distinguish themselves. Rhondda people should not go for coals to New- castle. x We have to chronicle the death of Cwmparc's oldest lady resident, in the person of old Mrs, Jones (who. resided with her son, Mr. Wm. Jones, Park Road), at the advanced age of 88. She submitted to the exigencies of Old Time on the first, day of the New Year, being satisfied, as it were, with one glimpse of the infant 1906 before she joined the great, majority. The old lady was one of the most interesting personalities we ever knew, and locally she had come to be looked upon as an institution, everyone knowing her by the endearing title of Granny Jones." For many years she was the v.wirparc midwife, and our late medico, Dr. James, was on very friendly terms with her. One great matter of pride to the old lady was! that she was of the same age as our late beloved Queen, being born on the same day. In her youth, old Mrs. Jones was an ardent eis- teddfodwr, and was a faithful soprano in Caradog's choir. She leaves 36 grand- children, who are scattered in various parts, of the world. On New Year's Day we were, privileged to see a greeting" card, which for originality and interest would be hard to beat. It was simply an irregular piece, of brown paper, on which was printed a bit of doggerel, which proclamied the impccimio.sity of the wonder nnc$the cerity of his good wishes. Although used by a, lot" this year, it will certainly become, a craze next year. This month's, Hauwr," the monthly organ of the Welsh Baptist Sunday School, contains a, good likeness and an interesting biography of Mr. Evan Middle- ton, manager of the Park (Ocean) Col- liery.

Ferndale. A highly successful social was held at the Library and Institute on Monday evenip" the 2nd inst. The gathering was inaugurated by the young members of the -nstitute, and great, credit, is due to cue young and energetic committee for carrying it, to such a triumphant, suc- cess: The tables were very tastefully laid out, and about' 50 sat down to the good things prepared for them by the caterers, viz., Mr. P. Rees and staff. The assembled guests, after doing full justice to satisfy the cravings of the inner man, were entertained to a, good evening of songs and recitations. Mr. Gwilym Gealy very ably presided, and must he compli- mented on his first appearance as a chair- man. County Councillor T. Samuel and District Councillors D. Evans and T. George delivered speeches replete with sound advice to' the young men present. Soings were rendered bv Messrs. D. Wil- liams, W. D. Davies, W. James and W. Lewis, the well-know ti baritoneand re- citations by Messrs. Gwilym Richards, P. D. Lewis and Arthur R. Morgan. Mr. A. R. Morgan also rendered some topical verses concerning certain prominent mem- bers, which caused roars of laughter. After a, hearty vote of thanks to the caterers and the committee, the proceed- ings terminated by the whole ooimpany singing Hen Wlad fy Nhadau."

Gelli. A magic lantern lecture was given at Bethany (C.M.) la;st Tresday evening by the Rev. J. W. Matthews on "The Life of Christ." Mr. Ted Thomas manipulated the lantern, and a, very pleasant evening was spent.

Ystrad. The tenth annual competitive meeting under the auspices of the Sunday Schools of Bethel, Dyffryn Nazareth and Jeru- salem Chapels (C.M.) was held at Dyffryn on New Year's Day, Monday, January 1st, 1906. There was a meeting at 2 p.m. and at 6 p.m. A large number of competitors had entered for the various items. The following were successful in ihe Biblical examination:—Under 10 years of age Mildred Hughes, Ada Gri- ffiths, Catherine Hughes, (of Nazareth) under 13: Bertie Smith Evans, Eliseus Howells (Jerusalem), and Gwladys Llew- ellyn (Nazareth); under 16: Helen Evans (Dyffryn), W. D. Morgan (Naza- reth), and Maggie Jenkins (Bethel); under 21: Mary Thickens (Nazareth), L. Roderick (Jerusalem); over 21: Evan J. Powell (Dyffryn). Mr. Milwyn Howells, Pentre, carried away the prize on the poem, Hwn fydd mawr," which gained great commer-dation from the adjudi- cators he also was successful on the "englyn." Mr. John Rees. Maindy Rd., Ton, was successful on the essay on The Temptation of Christ," and the prize for an essay on "John the Baptist" was divided between Wm. Evans, Pentre, and Mary Thickens, Pentre. Essay for chil- dren under 16, the successful essayists being- L. Roderick, Ton, and Stephen Davies, Ystrad. Miss Dinah Davies. Ystrati, and Mrs. Ellen Evans, Ton, were first and second on an essay on "Anna the Prophetess." A prize of £1 Is. was given for the best essay giving the his- tory of the institution and progress of the church at Dyffryn. Mr. John Rees' (Maindy Road, Ton) essay was adjudged worthy of the prize. Miss Lily Edwards, Pentre, gained the prize for an organ solo. The quartet was, won by Mr. A. J. Timothy, Ton, and friends. Solo for girls under 16, divided between Miss Blodwen Price, Ton, and Miss Lizzie J. Owen, Ystrad: bass solo, Mr. John Davies, Pentre; tenor solo, Mr. T. J. Hughes, Ystrad; contralto solo, Miss Annie J. Jones, Ystrad; duet. Messrs. T. J. Hughes and R. Evans. Ystrad children's choir, Naazreth, Pentre; ladies' choir, prize divided between the choirs of Jeru- salem and Nazareth. The male voice comuetition on "Dewrion Feibion Gwalia" excited much interest, three choirs; com- peting, Jerusalem Choir being adjudged the successful one, which was under the conductor ship of Mr. Hugh J. Lewis, Ton. Mr. Milwyn Howells had the prize for reciting Yr Ystorm" (Hwfa Mon). Mr. Stephen Davies and Miss H. Mor- decai divided the -,i-ize, on the recitation, Gwers Natur." Recitation, Plant y Byd," divided between Lucy H. Jones, Ton. Jennet Rosser and Bertie Evans. Moto'r Plentyn," divided between Myfanwy Jones, Ystrad, and Lucy H. Jones, Ton. The translation from Eng- lish to Welsh, divided between Mr. J. Timothy, Ton, and Mr. L. Roderick; also poem from English to Welsh, divided between Mr. J. Jones, London House, Pentre, and Mr. Tom Howells, Pentre. The meeting was presided over by the Rev. P. Gellv. Ystrad; the musical ad- judicator being Mr. Phillip Thomas Neath and the literary, the Rev. Garn Adams, Dinas. The Nebo Young People's Union re- ceived a. visit, last week from the bard- preacher and lecturer, Myfyr Hefin. who delivered a highly interesting discourse on "Mamall Cymreig a'u Beibl." There was a, large and appreciative audience, presided over by the pastor, the Rev. Anthony Williams. The new year was heralded in the form of a consecration meeting, a paper by the appointed per- son, Mr. Jonathan Thomas, being post- poned for a week. -+-+-+- The funeral took place on Monday lat" at Wauntroda, of Mrs. Ann Griffiths, the beloved wife, of Mr. Wm. Griffiths, 22, Cross Street, Ystrad, when there was a large assembly, the Rev. A. Williams, Nehol, officiating. Deceased was well- known in the district, and was a, faithful member at Nebo Chapel for many years. She was ailing: for a considerable time, but, bore her illness with Christian forti- tude and patience, tdeath coming as a, welcome relief.. Much sympathy is being felt for the bereaved husband and his four sons in the great loss sustained.

Ynyshir. On Saturday night, an eisteddfod was held at Bethel (W.) Chapel. Ynyshir. The eisteddfod did not prove such a success as was anticipated, owing to revival meetings being held at some of the chapels. The Rev. R. B. Jones has now defi- nitely decided to accept the pastorate of Ainon Baptist, Chapel, Ynyshir, and has promised to serve them faithfully in the future. We shall hear more anon, as this is good news to the place. We are glad to note the success of P C. Gwilym, who has been promoted Acting Sergeant for the Standard Col- lieries, and P.C. Mitchell, Porth, has eh won to fill the vacancy.

PERSONAL GOSSIP. New Maids of Honour. Miss Margaret Dawnay and Miss Blanche Lascelles are the two new Maids of Honour to her Majesty, in place of the Hon. Dorothy Vivian and the Hon. Mary Dyke, resigned. Miss Margaret Dawnay is the daughter of Colonel the Hon. Lewis Dawnay and Lady Victoria Dawnay, of Beningborough Hall. She is a niece, there- fore, both of Earl Grey and Viscount Downe. Miss Blanche Lascelfcfe is a daughter of Cap- tain the Hon. Frederick Lascelles, of Sutton Waldron House, Blandford. She is a niece of the Earl of Harewood, Lady Wenlock, and the Countess of Desart. Both of the new Maids of Honour are in their twenty-sixth year. Hence- forth, by virtue of their position in the Royal Household, they will bear the title of Honour- able. Duchess's Lost Bracelet. The photograph which was taken of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch in robes and coronet, on Coronation morning, will doubtless in time to come form one of the precious heirlooms of the Buccleuch frily, says the Onlooker. In it is seen the last of the highly-prized bracelet which had been given by the late Queen to her much-beloved Mistress of the Robes, and lost on Coronation Day, either in the Abbey or on the journey home. The bracelet was formed of a plain gold chain, and the small miniature was set with pearls, the who e finished off with four large single diamonds. The Duchess is also wearing her wonderful pearl-tipped diamond crown, as well as the marvellous diamond stomacher, set with the famous emerald, wonderfully carved all over with Eastern designs, which is the largest known stone of its kind in the world. This jewel was bought by the late Duke of Buccleuch to form a centre-piece to the unique collection of diamonds and emeralds belonging to the family. Bishop Fisher. Dr. George Carnac Fisher, who has resigned the Suffragan-Bishopric of Ipswich, to which he was appointed in 1899, is a clerical rolling-stone. Born in 1844, the son of an old Madras Civil ser- vant, he was educated at Harrow and at Brase- nose College, Oxford, and in 1874 was appointed Vicar of Forest Row, Sussex. In 1879 he be- came Vicar of Barrow-in-Furness, going thence in 1882 to the important living of St. Mary, Beverley, and in 1889 to the still more valuable one of Croydon, while in 1896 he removed to Southampton as Suffragan to the Bishop of Win- chester, and in 1899 became Bishop of Ipswich as Suffragan to the Bishop of Norwich. He is a man of great charm of manner, combined with a restless disposition. Mr. J. Albert Bright. Mr. John Albert Bright, of One Ash, Roch- dale, who is the probable Liberal candidate for Oldham, is the eldest son of John Bright by his second wife, and is a director of the family firm of John Bright and Brothers, cotton-spinners, of Rochdale. He succeeded his father in Central Birmingham as a Liberal Unionist in 1889, but retired at the 1895 election. It is understood that he is now prepared to support Home Rule measures. Madame Dieulafoy. Mme. Dieulafoy is one of the very few women in France who are allowed to dress habitually as men. Miss O'Conor Eccles tells us in the Daily Chronicle of a visit she paid to the notable Frenchwoman. "When," she writes, "I was shewn into a handsome study and saw a small gentleman of the actor type seated by the open fire reading, my impression was that I was face to face with M. Dieulafoy. In some embarrass- men I said, Pardon, monsieur. C'etait Mme. Dieulafoy que je desirait voir,' on which, to my amazement, the little gentleman, rising and bow- ing, replied, Mme. Dieulafoy, c'est moi!' Quite a Little Gentleman. "Mme. Dieulafoy, who was most gracious and pleasant, took no notice of my confusion, and told me she had just been to a friend's wedding. She wore beautifully-cut garments, a frock coat of the most correct type, shewing an edge of greyish waistcoat, a fashionable collar, and a scarf or tie fastened by a pearl pin. Her trousers were of darker grey than the waistcoat, her hair was cut short and divided to one side, and her neat boots were of the shiniest patent leather. In her buttonhole was a white gar- denia. I have seen dozens of little men exactly like her in literary and artistic circles in London. She talked very agreeably and amusingly, and my great dIfficulty all through was to realise that this man of the world was a woman." Mark Twain-- As Mark Twain has celebrated his seventieth birthday, one may readily believe, says the Pall Mall Gazette, that, as he said a few years ago, the report of his death is "greatly exaggerated." Since the humorist turned that unauthorised statement into a well-authenticated jest, he has done as Sir Walter Scott tried to do, he has gone far to retrieve the fortunes of the ill- starred publishing house in which he had in. vested his savings. And the Bookseller. One of the best stories of him in his aspect of a publisher relates to his going into a book- seller's shop, picking up a volume, and demand- ing 50 per cent. discount as a publisher, 50 per cent. as an author, and 25 per cent. as a friend of the dealer. "Now, what's the price?" he asked. The clerk figured awhile, then gravely announced, We owe you the volume and about twenty-five and a-half cents. Call again." The Count's Romance. Apropos of the death of the Count of Flanders, an occasional correspondent writes: "There is a romantic story told about the Count that is very interesting. Every day, accompanied by an aide-de-camp, the Count went for a long walk, which, as he could not proceed fast, occupied the whole afternoon. By some route or other he always reached one of the side streets from the Avenue Louise. Here, it is said, he slowly passed a house, from the closed windows of which a white hand waved a return to his deep saluta- tion. The Count never entered the house. Here, it is said, resided a lady to whom the Count was attached befoie his marriage, but whom he had never seen since. The Count and the lady, however, at the moment of parting, made the arrangement that whenever he was in Brussels he should pass her door once during the afternoon. This pretty testimony to an old love was faithfully carried out." Irving and Terriss. Miss Evelyn Millard tells this story of the famous Beefsteak Club-room at the Lyceum, where Irving used to give delightful supper- parties. One night there were odours that sug- gested to Terriss, then a member of the com- pany, that one of these functions was to take place after the play. He mentioned the matter to Irving thus: "That's a very appetising smell, governor." Irving (smiling): Yes, yes." Terriss (who knew very well): "What is it?" Irving: "I'm giving a little supper-party in the Beefsteak Room." Terriss (self invitingly): Those little parties of yours must be quite de- lightful, governor." Irving: "Yes, they are. You must come and join us some night. Let me see, when Terriss (decisively): "I'll come to-night! The New Archdruid. The new Archdruid chosen by the Welsh bards—the Rev. E. Rees, of Cardiff, whose bar- die name is "Dyved "-is not, like his two pre- decessors, a venerable figure, nor is he, says the Star, by any means the oldest member of the Gorsedd. He is barely over fifty years of age, and with his somewhat burly figure, iron-grey moustache, and humorously twinkling eyes he will not look the part as the late Archdruid did. He is, if not the greatest poet, at least the most successful competitor in Wales. He has won the Chair three times at the National Eisteddfod, and, in addition, he has won innu- merable prizes at the smaller gatherings. He is a master of the intricacies of the Welsh metres, a sound critic, and may be trusted to discharge the duties of his office with dignity and success. None of his predecessors have travelled so much or so wide afield. A confirmed bachelor, he has been able to spend his holidays where he liked. He has twice visited the Holy Land, he knowa America well, and he has voyaged round the world. He preaches with the Calvinistic Metho- < ersts, bnt he has always refused to settle down '3 a minister of a church. +.

Solos by Sister Ida, Jones. Bro. W. D. Roderick and Bro. Ben Devonald; read- ing by Bro. Ed. Jones; recitations by Bro. Evan Richards; speech by Bro. E. R. Wood; and several others took part. There was a splendid attendance.